Children of the Dominican were thrilled to receive baseball mitts provided by Northbrook-based youth charity Gear for Goals during recent mission trip.Dreamweaver International

Dreamweaver International

Nortbrook-based youth charity Gear for Goals is bringing hope and love of sports and arts to children in need around the world, and most recently to impoverished kids in the Dominican Republic.

Recently attaining their official non-profit status through partner program Dreamweaver International, Gear for Goals aims to increase tax-deductible donations and partnerships with other non-profit organizations to increase their reach in 2014.

Since 2012, Gear for Goals has provided sports gear for over 20,000 children and it isn't stopping there. By year's end, Gear for Goals will have touched over 25,000 children with sport and arts in over 15 countries, including children in the inner city of Chicago in the U.S.

"So many children around the world have virtually nothing. They have no soccer balls, no baseball mitts, absolutely no equipment to play with and have little hope for a brighter future," says Gear for Goals' founding director, Dr. Warren Bruhl. "Our abundance in the U.S. and our gently used sports gear and even musical instruments can be a cherished gift to a child. Everyone has something in the garage or closet going unused and they just want to know someone will put it to good use. That's where we come in and provide the resource to connect the need with the generous giving."

Gear for Goals' recent effort included a mission trip to the Dominican Republic where they shared the joy of baseball with impoverished children, with over 300 pounds of donated baseball gear, including 175 baseball mitts, 30 high quality bats, team uniforms, hats, spikes, baseballs, as well as catcher's gear aiming to bring hope to thousands of needy kids. Hundreds of children from schools to villages were thrilled to receive the gear which will allow them to enjoy sports and gain new skills.

Gear for Goals currently teams together with Compassion Partner's Divine Word Missionaries, Gifts in Kind, Working Together, Hi-Five Sports Camps, and most recently, the Police Athletic League in Englewood and Beyond the Laces author, Bob Salomon.

Gear for Goals' relief efforts continue through the end of the year with a mission trip to Kenya and welcomes all donations of new and used sports gear and musical instruments. To make a donation, contact Dr. Bruhl at dr.bruhl@dreamweaver911.org or. For more information about ways you can help, visit http://www.dreamweaver911.org.

A project of Dreamweaver International, Gear for Goals' Vision is to see every child in the world have the opportunity to play, compete, and enjoy sport through equal access to necessary equipment and instruction. Gear for Goals' Mission is to provide every child enjoyment, passion, and love of sport. Follow Gear for Goals on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/GearforGoals.

Dreamweaver International is a 501c(3) organization located in the United States and Kenya that provides education, healthcare, and humanitarian aid to the people of the Rift Valley of Kenya. With the addition of partner program, Gear for Goals, Dreamweaver International's scope and outreach of humanitarian care continues to grow globally.